Hockey Hall of Famer Milt Schmidt dies aged 98

Hockey Hall of Famer Milt Schmidt dies aged 98

Former Boston Bruins player and head coach Milt Schmidt died Wednesday at the age of 98.

Hockey Hall of Famer Schmidt had been the oldest living former NHL player.

Schmidt helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 1939 and 1941 and was selected to the first-ever NHL All-Star Game in 1947.

He was an All-Star selection previously in 1940 after leading the NHL in scoring with 22 goals and 30 assists in 48 games.

Schmidt later played in the All-Star Game in 1947, 1948, 1951 and 1952. He won the Hart Trophy in 1951 as the NHL MVP after scoring 22 goals with 39 assists in 62 games.

In 13 seasons as an NHL coach, 11 with the Bruins and two as the Washington Capitals' bench boss, he did not find the same success.

Schmidt took the Bruins to the playoffs just four times - in his first five seasons on the bench - and lost in the Finals twice. After helping Boston win the Stanley Cup as a general manager in 1972, Schmidt was the first GM of the new Capitals franchise in 1974.

While he was not successful as a coach, he was a Bruins legend for his play on the ice. He centred Boston's 'Kraut Line' with childhood friends Woody Dumart and Bobby Bauer - both wingers later inducted to the Hall of Fame.

Schmidt finished his career with 229 goals and 346 assists for 575 points in 776 games. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961, his number 15 was retired by the Bruins in 1980.

Schmidt received the Lester Patrick Trophy for contributions to hockey in 1996.